The 2006 Flights
It's
a new year and another on-line logbook.
As always, each entry shows the duration for the flight and my total
accumulated hours in the air.
Flight 324/January 4, 2006-My first flight of the new year. I do a lunchtime quickie and zip up to the north practice area for a few turns. The ceilings are a little low at just under 4,000 feet msl (mean sea level). That gives me a about 1,500 feet above the ground. Smooth air for this short flight. (0.5/279.6)
Flight 325/January 12, 2006-It's time for the Annual Inspection for N3082U. A weather window opens to get the plane to Pullman. I meet Tommy at the airport around 10:30 and we are in the air by 10:45. There are some low clouds and I am screaming along the ground (OK, maybe 800-1,000 feet above it) for at least a third of the trip. There are a few bounces, but it's an OK ride. I finally get up to 3,500 feet around Steptoe Butte. Into the pattern (after some radio frequency confusion on my part. I get the radios on the wrong frequency and try to call Seattle Center on the Pullman numbers), I hit the left downwind for the runway then make a lazy entry into final and drop into runway 5. Yep, there's a crosswind and it's not a pretty landing. I cover some of the repair needs with Terry, the fixit guy, then Tom zooms me back to Spokane in the rocket plane. I'm back at my office by 12:30 p.m. (0.8/280.4)
Flight 326/January 23,2006-What goes to Pullman must come back from Pullman. Marc and I tried to retrieve N3082U on Saturday but the clouds pinched Marc a little too low for comfort so he turned back. Today brings some sun and another opportunity. I flip through the rolodex looking for a ride to Pullman. All the plane partners are working or missing in action. Chris and Shawn are working. Mikey is busy. Tommy's in Tokyo. Aha! I find my niece Lindsey's boyfriend Dan, and he has the day off! He picks me up at 8:45 a.m.. We're in Pullman by 10:30. I pre-flight, thank Terry the fixit guy, and lift off of runway 25 into a gusty Palouse breeze at about 11:00 a.m.. Once I reach 4,500 feet, the wind has diminished with the exception of a bumpy blast now and then. An uneventful flight and I am on the ground in Spokane by 11:40. I tuck the plane in the hanger, throw the nose cover on, and zip back to work. (0.8/281.2)
Flight 327/January 29. 2006-Some low fluffy clouds are out at 1,600 feet above the ground in the morning, but there's enough room for me. Mikey and I do a semi-bouncy ride around the valley. The plane needed a fill-up so it was a good reason to warm it up. (0.5/281.7)
Flight 328/February 3, 2006-My thought was to bag another airport today. I wanted to go to Ephrata. I conned airplane partner, Art into coming to the field this morning. After the ceiling went up to legal levels, he did 4 touch and go's for his currency. About 11:30 a.m., it finally lifted enough for us to attempt a trip west. I fired up the rocket and we took off and stayed under the scattered level at 3,500 until about Reardan when it looked like we would never break through. I turned south to Cheney and back to Felts. We were back by 12:30. Drat. (0.8/282.5)
Flight 329/February 9, 2006-It's a nice warm Thursday. At lunch I invite Gina and Stephanie from the office for a short flight. Gina's been up before, but this is a first small plane flight for Stef. We do a short Spokane Valley loop and she does fine. There's a little wind shear about 100 feet above the runway and I end up with a long float. (0.5/283)
Flight 330/February 10, 2006-I want some downtown Spokane freeway photos for a presentation, but I need a photographer. Gina's gone, Tommy's busy, Mikey's not home, Ted moved. I try Peggy in the safety office. Yep, she's game. We take off about 9:30 a.m. I do a couple of slow 360's over downtown Spokane, then we go to the North Spokane Freeway for a couple of shots. Peggy shoots 85 images. About 5 are OK. Digital cameras are great. More wind on final approach. My biggest error: I do a cross wind landing and make a little bounce. I say, "oops." Memo to self: don't say, "oops" when there is a non-pilot in the right seat. (0.5/283.5)
Flight 331/February 12, 2006-I've set up a flight with my plane-partner Larry for this morning at 9:00 a.m. He gets to the hanger early and fuels the Rocket. After some discussion, we settle on Bonners Ferry for coffee. Larry flies up and on the way cruises over The Mt. Spokane and Schweitzer ski areas in very smooth air. Larry comes into runway 2 at Boundary County airport and does 3 touch and go's. We wander over to the truck stop for coffee and we chat for an hour. It's my leg to fly back and I lift off runway 20 at 11:45 a.m. for the one hour flight back. Still smooth air with a 12,000 foot ceiling and just a few bumps as we fly by Schweitzer Ski Resort by Sandpoint. I contact Spokane Approach about 20 miles out. They dump my radar service about 15 miles out of SFF. I contact SFF tower and they give me a left downwind for the active runway, 3 left. Then 2 biplanes call in for a low pass on runway 21 left. I whine to Larry that if they can have 21, why can't I? Then the tower guy calls and says I can have runway 21 right. They must have heard me whining. I make a nice approach and a super smooth touchdown. (1.1/284.6)
Flight 332/February 18, 2006-Shawn and I do a quick turn through the south practice area then over the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene. I test Larry's Garmin 195 GPS. It takes some getting used to but I find the buttons. Hmmm. The screen seems to be fading. We catch some bumps at 5,500. Back over the south hill to SFF. (1.0/285.6)
Flight 333/February 19, 2006-Another cool sunny day. I run down my list of possible passengers and pick Byron Henry. We meet at 11:00 a.m. I had already splashed in 21 gallons of go-juice. Up into the sky at 11:30 or so. The mission: To see Mt. Rainer and the Ephrata Airport. I had tried for EPH a few weeks ago with Art. Today, I'll make it. Another Cessna 172 had taken off just before us with the same destination. We'll see what they do. Up to 6,500 and smooth air. Byron, a railroad guy, follows the BNSF tracks most of the way picking out the grain elevators they go by. I'm on the GPS and darned if it doesn't fade like yesterday. Mt. Rainer does peek up above the mountains when we get about half way there. I give Byron the chart and he does a good job of finding our location. I need that in case the GPS crashes. I also dial in the Ephrata VOR, so I do know where we are, but I like the GPS to be able to pick a descent location. Down we go about 15 miles out. We see a couple of 747's coming out of Moses Lake so we're getting close. I hear the other Cessna call for a landing on runway 20, so I set up for a left base. Looks good. I touch down a little fast and there must be a weird tailwind because I porpoise a few times. Yuk! I haven't done that for a long time. Then the nose wheel shimmies. What a crappy landing! I sheepishly taxi over to the little terminal building and park in the non-powered glider area. I need a photo op and the name is on the building in the background. I snap a couple of shots and I head into the little building for the bathroom. Upon my exit, Byron has struck up a conversation with the guys in the other Cessna. They rented the plane from Felts Field Aviation. Their names are Terry and Dana and they recognize me from the PNWF group. We chat for a few minutes then decide to take the courtesy van into town for lunch. After a few minutes trying to start the aged Dodge, we get going and find the Country Deli. Over lunch we swap stories and I find out that Terry's landing was just as entertaining as mine. It must have been a tailwind, wind shear, extra gravity, or a cosmic conflaguration of some sort. Back to the field and up into the smooth sky. A nice return flight until about Reardan when the bumps start. Bouncy! I get into the right downwind and I'm all over the place. I have trouble keeping the plane straight on my base leg when the tower calls me to make it tight. Our friends are right behind us and there's another couple of planes in the pattern. Busy. I get into final for 21 right, then the tower asks if I can take the left. Yep, and I swing over to the other runway. I make a super smooth touchdown (to make up for the controlled crash in Ephrata) and turn off mid way down the runway. Yay, another location pin for my map. (2.3/287.9)
Flight 334/March 3, 2006-I had set it up with Mike Shea and his lady friend, Marcy, to fly this morning at 10 a.m. The skies did not cooperate. There was fog. We finally got into the air at about 1:00 p.m. Marcy was afraid to fly. She didn't want my usual "explain how it works" pre-flight, so I stuff her in the front seat with Mike in the back, and we rocket into the sky. I fly to the north practice area, then to the Spokane Valley, then over Liberty Lake where they live. Out to the south practice to Freeman, then over the Spokane south hill to Felts Field. Marcy does fine with a few bumps here and there and enjoys checking out the scenery. A super smooth landing on runway 3 right. Marcy is thrilled. (0.8/288.7)
Flight 335/March 4, 2006-I'm bored and the sun is out. Although there are a few puffy clouds that might make the ride a little more entertaining, I decide to zip off for a solo ride. There seems to be a new tower controller on the job and he is having some confusion issues. He clears me to taxi to 21 left for a north departure. I politely ask for the right and he agrees. Then he asks me again to clarify my radar service request. I wander to the right runway but take a real close look when I cross to make sure he hasn't cleared someone else to land on me. He finally gives me my clearance but has obviously missed the fact that I just want the north practice area as he gives me the west departure routine. I take off and make my left turn and he passes me to the departure controller who asks where I am going. Oh well-I'm up. I cruise around the Green Bluff prairie in the bumps at about 3,500 and after 20 minutes decide that I'm only having moderate fun. Back to the field to Mr. Newbie Controller. I call in about 5 miles to the north and there's someone in the pattern. He clears me for a 2 mile right base. I call in over the ridge and float in for a long final approach. A good touchdown. (0.5/289.2)
Flight 336/March 12, 2006-Shawn and I meet at 10:00 a.m. for a quick flight on a nice day. We decide to fly up toward Sandpoint. The wind was reported as calm when I left the house but have decided to pick up a little on the ground at we depart. I crawl through some weird bumps and yaws as we climb up to 5,500 feet. It smoothes out a little and we cruise toward Priest River. I wander around the hills between there and Sandpoint and then turn to the south and start climbing. We are going to climb up to about 6,500 and buzz the skiers at Mt. Spokane. I pick up a few bumps as we get into the foothills of the mountain. We pass the resort about 1,000 feet below and Shawn snaps a few pictures. It's a busy day with a full parking lot. After we pass the ski area, I step on the brakes to lose altitude. I fly over to the Kaiser Mead aluminum plant then turn south to Felts Field. I turn final and start my approach. There's an 8 knot direct crosswind. A perfect touchdown on the right main wheel then settle on the left, plus I make the first turn-off! (1.0/290.2)
Flight 337/March 18, 2006-I worked to the glare shield carpet in 3082U and rewarded myself with a quick flight. Lot's of puffy clouds and there was a rumor of thunderstorms in the forecast. The pattern was super smooth and I did two good landings. (0.3/290.5)
Flight 338/March 19, 2006-Today I re-installed Larry's Garmin 195 in 3082U. I put a fresh database in it, replacing a 2002 set. I was going to do a quick flight to play with it and plane partner Marc showed up just in time. We zipped off to the north practice area and he held on to the plane for a few minutes while I played with the GPS. I took the controls back and zipped back to the field with a left base to 3L. A nice dog leg approach and good touchdown. (0.6/291.1)
Flight 339/March 20, 2006-I'm working on a newsletter for work and realize that I could use a few aerial photos. I wish I knew someone with a plane. Wait a minute.....OK, I talked myself into it. I look around the office for a photographer because I learned that I just can't concentrate on pictures and fly at the same time. No luck. I try Tommy-nope. Mikey's game. After a quick lesson for Mikey on my digital camera, we lift off. First to the Valley for shots of the freeway we built last summer, then downtown for the freeway section we'll rebuild in 06/07, then up north for pix of the new freeway we're building. In for a landing and there's a wicked crosswind so I set the right main down first, then the left. I miss the centerline but the landing is smooth and we survive. I don't get paid for doing this but it's a great way to spend a lunch hour. (0.7/291.8)
Flight 340/March 28, 2006-I have the WSDOT Communication Manager, Lloyd Brown, in town for a visit. We have lunch at the Skyway and I decide that he needs to see the new freeway from the air. We take a quick flight to the north practice area and back. Good landing. (0.5/292.3)
Flight 341/March 30, 2006-I am giving a media presentation in Wenatchee at 10 a.m. It's a quick flight or a long drive. I get up at 5am and check the weather on the computer and it seems OK, but when I look outside, I see some low clouds. I'd better check it out. I need to leave by 6:30 if I'm going to drive. I get to the field and give everything a look-see. I call for a weather briefing (and end up with a connection to the McMinnville, Oregon Flight Service Station-the guy hasn't got a clue about Washington State) and it seems like it should be OK with ceilings at 9,000 to 12,000 feet. But..I still see some low clouds, however it looks clear farther west. At 6:45am, I finally make a "go" decision and lift off at 6:58 a.m. heading west, it looks like the fog bank is lighter to the south so I get permission to go just north of Spokane International, right over the Fairchild Air Force Base runway. The military guys must still be in bed because there's no action there. The fog still looks better to the south so I get out of the way of the Spokane airport departure track and they let me turn left. As I cruise, it finally looks like there is clear sky farther west so I make the BIG decision, I turn west to fly over the scattered fog layer. It's not solid and has lots of holes, but this is a first for me so I took a few photos of the cloud layer below me. I break out of the 'sandwich' with clouds above and below between Davenport and Wilbur now it's smooth flying in the clear. I take this opportunity to pop in the Ipod for a few tunes-usually I'm too busy or have a passenger to chat with so the music is an interesting change. After I cross Ephrata, it's time to kill the music and concentrate on aviating. I chat with an AirPac pilot on the way into Wenatchee and we decide that his Piper Seneca can beat my Cessna to the runway. I cross over the ridge and drop into the valley in my usual "Rock Island Dam" approach to a straight-in shot for runway 30. A smooth landing and I taxi over to a parking spot by the AirPac plane. My arrival is about 8:25am-a little late, but faster than driving. My Wenatchee counterpart, Jeff Adamson, is waiting as I walk over to the Wings of Wenatchee office. I do my presentation. Jeff and I have lunch. Then it's back to Wenatchee International for my return trip. The weather has gotten a little more interesting with a scattered layer of cumulous clouds at 6,000 feet or so. I check out the rocket, say goodbye to Jeff, and fire up the engine. There has been a Lear Jet doing some low approaches on runway 12 (the opposite of 30) so I decide that is probably a good choice for my departure. At exactly 2:00pm, I push in the throttle and zoom into the skies. I have to zoom because the jet is back for another low approach right behind me. I climb out of the canyon and turn left toward Ephrata and home. It is a BuMpY ride with the clouds and I am holding on most of the way, cruising just below the cloud base. At about Edwall, Spokane Approach asks me to stay above 5,500 feet to avoid Fairchild and Spokane International traffic, I decline because of the low clouds, so they vector me to Cheney and south of the action. As I cross the town and my alma mater, I ask to descend and they toss me over to Felts tower. I make a reasonable approach to runway 21 left, a one bounce landing, and home. A long, but good day. (3.0/295.3)
Flight 342/April 7, 2006-A co-worker, Bill Bennett, stopped by my office the other day and mentioned that his 14 year-old son, Conner, was interested in aviation and maybe the Naval Academy. I asked, "has he ever been in a plane?" "No"...was the reply, "but he plays Flight Simulator all the time." "How about Friday morning?" said I. We met at about 9:30 a.m. and I went through my usual very long pre-flight, explaining everything about the plane and how it stays in the air. The kid already knew a lot of stuff. We piled in and I went over all the instruments and taxied over to the runway. We zipped into the sky and over to the practice area. I let Conner fly about 15 minutes total, (taking over when it got bumpy or when we needed a steep turn). The north practice area was a good choice because we were able to fly over their house....always a big hit. I let Conner fly us back to the airport and took over about a mile out on base leg for runway 3 left. I was able to do an incredibly smooth touchdown (like always, of course) and we slipped over to the hanger. The kid didn't stop beaming. Don't tell him, but I had way more fun than he did. What a great feeling getting a kid up for his first flight. (0.9/296.2)
Flight 343/April 16, 2007-Easter morning and the sun is out. Time for a quick spin. Mikey and I head for the north practice area a little after 9am. He snaps a few photos during the bumpy ride. The cloud deck has dropped a little since I thought of this idea and it's a little breezy. I cut the ride a little short and head back to the field. Winds are now 170 at 9 knots. This could be fun. A sloppy cross-wind landing, but I did make it onto the concrete. (0.4/296.6)
Flight 344/April 19, 2006-It was a nice day. I took Bob Lutz (local traffic reporter) up for a ride. We head up north to Pend Oreille County for a flight over his property by Sacheen Lake. Bob takes a few photos of his retirement haven. It's a bumpy ride, but he seem to have a good time. (1.0/297.6
Flight 345/April 21, 2006-My Friday off. A couple of touch and goes in the morning until it starts raining. Hey...I just washed and waxed this thing. Gotta keep it clean! (0.3/297.9)
Flight 346/April 22, 2006-I was originally going to fly with my plane partner Larry, however he had a cousin in town who wanted to come along. No problem but I thought his cousin would have more fun in front so I let them have at it. I got to the field about 9:05 a.m. with plan "B"-my friend and CFI Dave Robinson. It was very breezy with winds at 10 knots gusting to 15. I thought about some crosswind training but at the last minute suggested we go to Electric City. Some Pacific Northwest Flying dot Com members, Les and Bill were flying over from Olympia for a picnic. It was a moderately bumpy ride over at 6,500 feet with a 25 knot tailwind pushing us along. Dave hadn't flown over this way to often so he was enjoying the trip and giving me some pointers on the way. Spokane Departure tells us that Seattle Center is "too busy" for us so our flight following gets dumped about Davenport. We listen and she is busy. I drop down and we pass over 3W7 about 500 feet above pattern altitude. It takes us a while to find the sock and check the wind. It's favoring runway 3 so I turn left into a pattern. I'm a little high so Dave shows me a screaming slip and we start dropping in. Not much wind down here in the canyon-a big surprise. I drop in for a nice landing and make the turnoff about 1,000 feet down. We park the plane on the empty ramp, chat with the manager, and wander down to the shore to check out the airport camping facilities. We then grab the "courtesy" car for a quick run to town get a Pepsi. I see a plane on final as we drive off. Maybe it's the guys from Oly. We get to downtown Electric City and Dave pumps in 2 1/2 gallons, get drinks, and we cruise back. On the way, we pull into the Sunbanks RV Park for a look-see. Not impressed and cross it off my camping destination list. Back to the field and there are now a bunch of airplanes parked next to us. We find Les and Bill from Olympia! After a quick chat and a photo opportunity they wander down to the water and Dave and I fire up the Rocket for the return. The wind is nothing so I head down to runway 21. I do the runup, check for planes and line up for departure. Push in the throttle and we start rolling. Dave leans over and says, "carb heat." Doh! I missed pushing that in. That's why I brought a CFI! I waggle the wings so day goodbye to the group on the ground and climb out of the canyon. It's a relatively pleasant trip back other than the occasional bounce. I get flight following from Center. They must have calmed down over there a bit. We cruise in to the north of Reardan and Fairchild Air Force Base. Spokane Approach calls and tells us turn turn right over the base runway. They have a tanker ready to take off and need us out of his path. I turn and we cross over the base runway. We see the tanker waiting for us and as soon as we get above the runway, he starts rolling. After we cross, they turn us back to the east on a parallel course to the tanker and ask us to, "maintain separation from that aircraft." Sure-we can do that. Over downtown Spokane and a straight-in approach to runway 3 left. Felts is reporting 12 knot winds at 030 with gusts to 20. No crosswind practice today, just strong wind practice. it's a bouncy approach and I come over the threshold a little hot as Dave suggests. Some quick footwork and a long float and I'm down. Whew! A good trip and a nice day. Just short of my 300 hours! Drat! (2.0/299.9)
Flight 347/April 28, 2006--On a gorgeous Friday morning I take Nancy's (my wife) cousin's husband, Scott on a flight. The sun is out, there's minimal wind, no clouds-a perfect day. Scott had been up in a small plane back in his college days but this is his first flight in a long time. We taxi up to runway 21 left, do our run-up, and the tower amends their wind report reported 050 at 3 knots. Now, Scott and I are no thin supermodels so....with a tailwind, I ask for runway 21 right. It'll give us another 1,500 feet to get off the ground. I wheel onto the runway and step on the gas and we zip down the runway. As usual, I am ultra conservative-we could have used the short runway and would have had room to spare. Into the sky and I head east. Scott does a lot of boating on Coeur d'Alene Lake so I decide that is a good direction to fly. Scott proves his worth over Post Falls by spotting another aircraft. There's a KitFox about 500 feet below us going west. he gets the "good eye" award for today. Over downtown Coeur d'Alene, then south along the lake. Scott comments that this is a view that most people don't see. Yep, he's right. We cruise down the lake and he scopes out all the things he usually only sees from his boat. Over Harrison, Conkling Park, then a turn to the west. I point out the Coeur d'Alene Casino and we enter the 'south practice area' near Rockford. It's smooth so I ask Scott if he'd like to fly. "Oh no", he says. Not! I give him the controls and guide him through some shallow turns, then tell him to take us over the south hill of Spokane. He drives until we are abeam the Tower Mountain, then I take over. We've been connected with Spokane Approach now we switch to Felts Tower. I'm way high at about 4,000 feet so pull the power. Drifting down at about 80mph to runway 3 Left (yep, the realized they had tailwinds), I'm still high. More flaps. Still high. More flaps. Oops...to much. Dang! More power. I'm slightly short for the displaced threshold, then I plop down on the runway just beyond the line. OK, it ain't perfect, but survivable. And...for an infrequent flyer like Scott, a perfect landing. Wow...what a fun ride. I cross the 300 hour threshold on this trip. (1.1/301.0)
Flight 348/April 30, 2007-I was chatting with a former co-worker, Andy, the other day. His wife, Kiley took ground school and her written years ago when she also worked at my office. Her dad also flew. We decided it would be a good idea for her to get a birthday flight. It was supposed to be a surprise when I pulled up at the restaurant at 8:33 a.m. today, but they had finished eating early and she wanted to head home so Andy had to spill the beans. They were all waiting for me as I parked in front of the terminal. The first question was, "could 6 year-old Tyson come along?" I replied that it might be a little bumpy, but he's apparently the 'roller coaster king' so it's OK by me. I do need another headset so Andy zips me back to the hanger to pick one up. We're back and I do a walk around explaining things as I go. Then I stuff Tyson in the back, Kiley in the right front, and me in the left and we wander over to 21 Left. It's a bit windy with 200 at 10 as I firewall the throttle. A few wobbles back and forth on climb out then over the south hill to the practice area. I had intended 4,000 but there are some clouds at about 4,500 so I hang at 3,500. We do a slow right turn over towards the Paradise Road area and cruise over their house. Tyson is identifying everything in his neighborhood from the air. They take some photos and we head back over to the practice area. I was going to let Kiley take the yoke but it's just too bouncy. It's time to head back to the barn. Over Freeman and Mica Gap (the 'My House' approach) and we aim for the West Valley water tower and a left base to runway 21 Left. I have a 10-12 knot headwind so I keep the power up and wait for the drop to 30 degree flaps. A little cross wind so go in a little fast and go to 30 degrees just before the threshold. A little float then a squeaker of a touchdown and I make the first turnoff in 1,500 feet. We pull over to the terminal and Andy isn't there. Must still be at Home Depot. Back into the plane and we go put it away. I set up a photo with Tyson at the controls then he helps me push the bird back into the nest. He sums the flight up in one word-"Awesome!" (0.9/301.9)
Flight 349/May 3, 2006-I'm having an event at work in Pullman so I need to scout out a location. I take Chad, the engineer in charge of the job, with me. A 9:00 a.m. takeoff with a smooth trip down. We borrow Terry-the-airplane-fixit-guy's car for a quick run into town and are back in the air by 11:00. Bumpy ride back, as always. (1.7/303.6)
Flight 350/May 10, 2006-Son Chris stops by the airport at lunch to get some 100LL gas for his race car. We take a short flight and he takes some highway pictures for me. (0.5/304.1)
Flight 351/May 12, 2006-A bouncy lunchtime solo trip into the north practice area. (0.6/304.7)
Flight 352/May 21, 2006-I go cruising on an early Sunday evening with plane partner Marc. We cruise around for an hour. When he lands, I can't stand it....I gotta make a couple of touch and go's. (0.3/305.0)
Flight 353/June 3, 2006-The Chelan Fly-In is today. I've planned to meet ex-plane partner Ted for lunch. He's flying over from Olympia. Tommy is my co-pilot. We lift off at 10:00 a.m. for a moderately bouncy ride across the state. A few clouds and a slight headwind, but otherwise uneventful...except when Seattle Center advises us of two aircraft coming at us on our nose near Mansfield. We find them. I pull the throttle and start my descent into Chelan, come over the ridge and have a couple thousand feet to lose. DOH! Tommy reminds me to pull that carb heat! Drat! A good high approach and nice touchdown. Tommy likes it (and there was no screaming). We park and there's Ted coming in for a landing in his club 182. We meet, take pix, do lunch, chit-chat, checkout some airplanes, and call it a day about 1:00 p.m. I follow Ted to the runway and scream into the skies. My climb out is interesting with a variety of updrafts, downdrafts, and gusts. I finally clear the ridge and turn east. Tom can't stand it and reminds my that, if I want to get to Spokane, I must turn about 45 more degrees to the east, ("Just follow the section lines, Al"). A few bumps, but a pleasant flight and good conversation. A nice pattern, approach, and landing. The highlight: We follow the EAA B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" down the taxiway to my hanger. (2.8/307.8)
Flight 354/June 5, 2006-My plane partner Marc is an Instrument-Rated Pilot. Every once in a while, he needs to make some approaches to keep his rating current. to do so, he needs a safety pilot. I'm the guy. I watch the show to make sure he doesn't hit anything. The reward: I get to log the time. We/he does six various approaches to GEG and SFF. The good news...we don't hit anything. Marc does a good job in working around the Spokane airspace without looking. (1.9/309.7)
Flight 355/June 6, 2006-A work meeting in Pullman! Yay! My plan is to fly down and have the engineers meet me. This is a good plan. One of the engineers decides to be my guest/passenger: Jody Qualley hops into the right seat for the quick trip to PUW. We have a very smooth, 35 minute ride down to the Pullman/Moscow Airport. On the way down, I plan for my usual left base for runway 5, but alas, much too much traffic, I change the plan and zip over behind another plane for a left downwind landing. No problem. A nice touchdown with no injuries. Jody and I wait for a ride from the other engineers, we go to our meeting in downtown Pullman. After the meeting, I look around the room looking for potential return passengers and Jody is ready for the return trip. The usual departure and flight with the standard bumpy ride at 4,500 feet. Jody rides along with a happy smile and no problems. A nice, one smack touchdown on SFF runway 3 right. We're back. (1.7/311.4)
Flight 356/June 16, 2006-I want a couple more aerial freeway photos. The weather is somewhat cooperative. I grab Bud Miller from our IT department. A plus: Bud is a CFI. We do some instruction on slow flight, he holds onto the plane, and I grab a few snaps. (0.5/311.9)
Flight 357/June 20, 2006-A pleasant spring evening. The longest day of the year. Dave Robinson and I get together for an after dinner cruise. We lift off about 6:50 p.m. and turn east. The air is super smooth. Dave decides that we should visit the Seattle Center radar facility on Mica Peak. That means I've got to pedal really hard to get the plane up to about 6,000 feet in about 15 miles. I make it and we do a couple of turns around the facility. I point out the radio station transmitters that I used to visit in a previous life and note to Dave that there used to be 3 radomes up here when the military staffed the site. After a couple of turns, we wander off to the southeast. I wonder what the guys at Seattle Center were thinking when they watched us approach, and then disappear from their screens when we were directly overhead, then reappear as we left. We didn't see any streaking missiles, so we must be OK, (I hope). Dave and I cruise over Coeur d'Alene Lake, Harrison, and St. Maries in Idaho before we turn back. A straight shot back to Felts Field and I make a grade "B" landing just before the tower closes. As usual, the biplane guys fire up at 8:02 p.m., just after the tower guys (and now a gal) go home. (1.1/313)
Flight 358/June 28, 2006-An early morning, before work flight with Mikey. We taxi out before the tower opens and I hear some chatter on the radio about runway 21. I look in vain for the traffic be no can see. I self announce and "DOH" I've been on the approach frequency and they were talking about runway 21 at GEG. I am politely corrected by the controller. After that, everything goes well. A few bumps on the climbout then an uneventful flight to the Coeur d'Alene area and back. (0.7/313.7)
Flight 359/July 7, 2006-I meet up with Bob Manheimer at Arlington and take the stick of his Grumman Yankee for about 15 minutes. Nice little plane. The new scenery is also nice. (0.2/313.9)
Flight 360/July 11, 2006-I grab a quick lunch flight with Jay Miller in the right seat. Up to the north practice area and back. (0.5/314.4)
Flight 361/July 19,2006-Another early morning flight with Mikey. This time we'll try to take a few aerial photos. We cruise over downtown, then up to the northeast to avoid an AirBus on final for GEG, then over to Nine Mile. Back to the north practice area for a few more snaps and into Felts. There's 4 planes in the pattern so we do a wide right base to runway 21 left. I'm a little fast on final and take about 2,000 feet of runway to finally slow the rocket down so it will land. (0.8/315.2)
Flight 362/July 28,2006-Yep...we get up early again! My buddy Mikey is the only person I know who doesn't flinch at a 5:30 a.m. lift-off. OK, we didn't get off the ground until 5:55 a.m. We beat the tower guys and follow a Cherokee into the sky. It's a bumpy climb out with winds yawing the plane every which way as we turn north. We finally get some smooth air at about 4,000 feet. We cruise up north an decide to do a Mt. Spokane loop. This means we need to cruise into the hills. I remark to Mikey that, "this is stupid." I am right. As we slide through the valley into north Idaho the winds bounce us around and I'm all over the rudder pedals. After we get out of the mountains and turn south over Spirit Lake , it smooths out. We cruise around the hills and start back to the airport. I contact Spokane Approach and they advise a straight-in approach to runway 21 right. I decide to go over Newman Lake and the hils around it. Again, I remark to Mikey, "this may be stupid." Yep.....over the hills and the bouncing is back, but it lines me up for a nice 7-mile approach. I come in high, as usual. There's a 6-knot crosswind. Lot's of pedal work and I'm down. I miss the first turn at taxiway Delta, but make Charlie. Back to the barn. I'm gonna be late for work! (1.0/316.2)
Flight 363/August 4, 2006-My worst flying nightmare came true today! Today my passenger is WSDOT front office leader Pam Hall. She took a few small aircraft flights 30 years ago, so it's time for another. I do the usual explanitory pre-flight, stop at the gas pump for 20 gallons of 100LL, and wander up to the run-up area. All is normal. My thought is to fly up and around Priest Lake. We get our squawk code and clearance to take off on runway 21 right. I line up on the runway, set the DG, and push in the throttle. 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mph....Wait...what's that in the corner of my eye by the passenger sun visor? Yikes! It's a bee! I throttle back and step on the binders. I'm not leaving the ground with an unauthorized buzzing passenger! We pull over to a wide spot off of taxiway Bravo, shut down the engine, and search for the pesky varmit. I take the laminated checklist and run it around the edge of the windscreen. Aha! The little bugger is snagged! I smack him and he falls to the floor. All is well. But that's not the end of the story. We settle in to resume our flight, I prime the rocket, switch on the master and hit the starter. Budda budda budda budda. No start. I try it again. Same result. Ditto, ditto, ditto. OK...I give up. I've flooded the engine and run the battery down to a point where i won't turn the motor over. Drat! I grab the handheld and advise ground control that I need the tug to pull me back to the hanger. The guy wanders over and he says, "I can jump start you." Hmmm. OK, I'll give that a go. He asks, "12 or 24 volt.? I'll take 12, thank you. A quick connect, prime, starter, and vroooomm! We taxi back to the hanger. I want to run the engine for a few minutes and put some charge into the battery I also want to clean up after getting dirty pulling the battery box top off. OK...We're ready. Prime, and hit it. Zooooom! Yahoooo! We are ready to go. I go back to the line, call for flight service, and we are directed to the runway. This time, we are going to make it. Air traffic has cancelled my previous code so tower advises I'll get in in the air. Out onto runway 21 right, throttle up, and we lift off. I turn to the north and climb. I'm getting around 1,000 feet per minute. A few bumps on the climb out. but it smoothes after 3,500 feet. It's smokey! A lot of smoke is in the air from the fires to the west near Wenatchee. I can't see more that 15-20 miles ahead. (OK. If we were in L.A., that would be good.) Anyway, I abandon my idea for Priest Lake, (I really wanted to do a few turns over Indian Creek campground where Claude and Marni are camping. We'll see them Sunday.) I decide on a Mt. Spokane, Coeur d'Alene loop. Up at 5,500 feet it's smooth air as we cruise over Green Bluff. When I turn through the gap north of Mt. Spokane, it gets bumpy. I look at the GPS and we are getting pushed by a 25 knot tailwind through this canyon. Then I swing to the south over Spirit Lake and we're in smooth air again. Over the Coeur d'Alene airport, the City of Coeur d'Alene and the north half of the lake and it's good flying and great sights for Pam. Time to head back and I follow the river to Felts Field. A little hot on the landing but good enough to impress my passenger. (1.3/317.5)
Flight 364/August 12, 2006-A nice Saturday morning. My choice: continue cleaning up the motorhome and the jet skis or...........?? Needless to say, my guest today is Paul Delaney. He brings his new digital camera with a 300mm lens. We lift off around 10:30 a.m. and head east. We hit a few bumps just north of Mica Peak going over Post Falls. The Coeur d'Alene airport is hopping this morning with traffic coming, going, and in the pattern. I'm especially curious about a Glassair that reported a departure to the south. I finally spot him below us a few hundred feet zig-zagging around the north end of the lake. We cruise south over the water at 4,700 feet-my goal is to have PD take a few snaps of our new lake lot. We spot it and circle around a couple of times for the photo op. Then to the west, over the casino and toward home. Through the gap and into a left base for runway 21 left. A bouncy touchdown and roll out. Smack! What was that? It felt like something hit the plane. Maybe a bird? We advise the tower guys and they ask me to call them when we check the plane. I crawl all over the thing at the hanger and cannot find anything amiss and let them know. We'll call it good. I have now completed seven full years of flying since my first lesson on August 10, 1999. (1.1/318.6)
Flight 365/August 15, 2006-A quick lunch flight with project engineer Darrel McCallum over the downtown freeway project. It is Darrel's first small aircraft flight. There are thunderboomers trying to build south, east, and west of town, but over the city is clear. We squeeze in 10 gallons of go juice and zoom into the skies. I do one slow turn around the downtown area and back to the barn. It's not too bumpy and Darrel takes a few snaps with my camera. (0.5/319.1)
Flight 366/August 27, 2006-On a sunny Sunday morning it's time to fly. Today, my brother Bill is in the right seat. It's been awhile since I've seen him and we finally connect around 8:15 a.m. I've already pre-flighted before his arrival so all we need to do is squish 20 gallons of 100LL into the tanks. We finally lift off at about 9:08 a.m. with a plan to cruise around Priest Lake and a possible landing in Sandpoint. The skies are somewhat smokey from all the forest fires, in fact I'm glad I checked the official flight information because there's a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) at the north end of the lake for fire fighting aerial work. I would have violated that one easily. We cruise up to 5,500 feet and it is smooth air. Over the towns of Newport and Priest River, up the valley, and over the lake we go. I wander as far north as Indian Creek Bat then turn south to avoid the TFR. We pass over Kalispel, Bartoo, and 4-Mile Islands and the south tip of the lake. Out of the blue Bill asks, "Did you have breakfast?" "Yes," I reply, but he didn't. Well, I need to keep the passengers happy and there's no restaurants at the Sandpoint airport so I step on the brakes, hang a right turn, and we are going into Cavanaugh Bay. A Piper that just left 66S a while earlier is coming back in a few miles north-we discuss who gets to go first and I win. I turn base and final over the bay, clear the last tree, and make the smoothest grass landing of my career on runway 15. A quick back taxi and park by the wind sock so the guy in the Piper can use the runway. I sign the airport guestbook then Bill and I wander over to the Cavanaugh Bay Resort and slither into the breakfast buffet-breakfast for him and an early lunch for me. It's only a little after 10:00 a.m., but who cares? Bill seems to be having fun. We eat outside on the deck with a few other airplane and lake people, enjoy the food, and some conversation then it's time to go. A quick pit stop, then a 5-minute walk back to the Rocket. I check her out and we hop in. There's a Piper Warrior landing so I wait to fire up the engine. As the Piper taxis back to the parking area there are some people walking their dogs on the runway! Yep...you guessed it, one of the dogs runs out right in front of the Piper. It's almost a quick meat grinder. Amazingly, it seems that the dog people are from the houses/hangers next to the runway. Stu-pid! I hope the canine parade doesn't run in front of me as I fire up the engine and back taxi down runway 33. Get to the end, do a quick run-up on the roll, turn around, drop 10 degrees of flaps, and firewall the throttle up the incline. We cross the hump and start on the downhill and speed increases. I rotate at about 55-60 mph, lift off, and climb a few feet to accelerate. Then we gain enough speed to get up in the air and clear that pesky tree by the restaurant. This is a cool place to take off because the trees seem to be right out the windows on each side of the plane as you go down the runway. Up a couple hundred feet and I turn left, then south. I cruise over co-workers Gina's cabin at about 500 feet. Nobody's on the beach at her place. It's another smooth trip back. After I get trimmed out, I offer Bill the yoke. At first he refuses, but I insist and he finally takes over and flies for about 20 minutes. I contact Spokane approach on our way in, get handed off to Felts Tower and slide into runway 21 right at about Noon. What a great flight! And I con my brother into cleaning the bugs off the leading edges! (1.8/320.9)
Flight 367/September 6, 2006-I need a flight so I take myself to the airport and do a 30 minute jaunt into the north practice area. It's very smokey. (0.5/321.4)
Flight 368/September 12, 2006-An aerial photo run with fellow worker and CFI, Bud Miller. We lift off at noonish and need to take some shots near Felts Field. Bud has the yoke and we do a couple of circles over the target. We're close to the field and the tower guys remind us that we might be a little low. Up we go! More shots over the valley, south of downtown and northwest of the city. Bud handles the plane when I need to take some snaps. Back to Felts after 77 pictures stowed in the digital camera. Nice landing. Back to the hanger and Shawn is waiting with his new car, a Jaguar, to show me. (1.1/322.5)
Flight 369/September 17, 2006-A Young Eagle flight with a co-workers son. Jasper Coulter is my passenger along with dad, Mike. I pick them up at the terminal on a perfect Sunday morning. I do a walk around with Jasper and explain the plane parts then plop him into the pilot seat for a photo op. Then he gets in the right seat with dad in the back and off we go to the east. Very smooth air. A quick turn around downtown Coeur d'Alene and back to Felts Field. Super smooth landing and some more photo ops in front of the terminal. Happy kid. (0.9/323.4)
Flight 370/September 22, 2006-Perfect weather. I need a reason to fly. I call the usual passenger suspects-no takers. I call plane partner Art. I'll fly over to COE and meet him at 10 am. He can do some touch and go's and get current. I thought I checked the weather and it seemed good, but when I listen to the radio chatter I discover COE is socked in. I take off at 9:50 a.m., look toward COE and confirm that I won't be going there. Oh, I could make it, but there are no turn signals or brake lights on this plane and the other drivers on the freeway might get confused. I decide to zoom up to Deer Park, land, call Art, and call it a day. As I'm on downwind to DEW, I can hear my cell phone ringing. I plop down on runway 16, taxi to a wide spot, and attempt to call him back. No such luck. I rocket back into the skies and make a beeline back to SFF, land, and call Art. We decide to meet at Safeway in Liberty Lake for a quick visit. I want to show him the wheel fairing that I'm repairing. (0.8/324.2)
September 23, 2006-Sad Day. Marc had a momentary brain lapse when he was pushing N3082U back into the hanger. One door wasn't open all the way. We have an owie on the left elevator. The plane will be grounded for awhile.
Flight 371/October 17, 2006-Back in the air. I take the Rocket up for a couple of touch and go's. It works! (0.3/324.5)
Flight 372/October 20, 2006-I had an MRI this morning. Two hours stuck in a magnetic tube. Flying is much more fun. Mikey joins me for a one hour romp to the south practice area and the south end on Coeur d'Alene Lake. I show him our new lake lot from the air. (1.1/325.6)
Flight 373/October 27, 2006-A short 35 minute flight by myself into the north practice area. Some bumps. I did a few turns and looked at the sights. (0.6/326.2)
Flight 374/October 30, 2006-I joined the AOPA Mentor program and I invite my student along for one of my "lunch-time-quickee" flights. I let Jim Leighty do all the cruise flying from the right seat as we wander around the north practice area. He can't log the time, but he hadn't been in the air for awhile and he needed the inspiration. (0.6/326.8)
Flight 375/November 1, 2006-My Wenatchee counterpart at work is in town. We're doing some training work so it's time for a lunchtime flight. A hazy sky at noon, but looks smooth. We do a Spokane Valley fly around. I ask for radar service and get assigned a code. Whoooeeee! Spokane approach is busy with a lot of traffic and one very lost Delta Airlines pilot. I'm at Liberty Lake before they even acknowledge my presence. This is a short flight so I turn around and advise approach that I'm coming back and, since they're busy, I'll just go it alone. They call back and tell me there is a zillion airplanes around Felts Field so it might be a good idea to stay with them. Of course, I agree. A minute later they advise me to stay clear of Felts. I start a turn to the south then they advise that Felts can take me in. I turn in, do a right downwind to runway 3 right and, poof, we are back. (0.5/327.3)
Flight 376/November 17, 2006-A quick run to the north practice area to see if I can still fly with my bum knee. I go alone....just in case I can't. The knee feels good. I gotta get my 50 hours in for 2006 before any knee surgery. I'm at 48.9 for the year. (0.7/328.0)
Flight 377/November 19, 2006- I'm out checking the battery. Marc had to get a jump in Coeur d'Alene yesterday. I check the logs and remember....that battery was installed the day we took N3082U for a test flight in Everett...on January 10, 2002! I think it's time for a new battery. I tested it with a load and it showed 11 volts, then ran the charger. The charger meter dropped off to nothing right away. It my experience, that means it just doesn't want to take any charge. I'll make some calls. Oh...I did get it started and did a few turns in the north practice area. Met a real wild wind right over Spokane Community College on my base leg into runway 3 left. Tipped the wing about 30 degrees on real short notice. Only a half hour to go for my 50 hours this year! (0.6/328.6)
Flight 378/November 24, 2006-Replacing the battery. Chris is helping. It only takes a few minutes and just one spark (when Chris touches the case with a wrench while tightening the positive post. Oops! All set up and we have to see how it starts...Vrrooomm! We do a quick flight into the north practice. Back to the field and I do a very firm arrival. A half hour flight and I make my 50 hours for 2006! (0.5/329.1)
Flight 379/December 16, 2006-I've recovered from knee surgery and it's time to get back in the cockpit. Mikey joins me on this short Saturday morning romp. When I made the decision to fly today, the skies were CAVU. Now they're KCAVSR (Kinda Ceiling Unlimited and Visibility Sorta Reasonable. We now have some scattered clouds at 900-1,000 AGL. Mikey and I take off and I turn north along the RR tracks at about 3,000 MSL until I can get past the hills and turn east. I get out from under the cloud layer and am able to climb up to 4,200. We cruise out over the valley and Liberty Lake for about 30 minutes. Back to the barn with a super smooth landing on runway 21 left. (0.6/329.7)
Flight 380/December 17, 2006-I took an old friend, Chuck Kearney, on a flight. We'd known Chuck, an ex-Seattle police officer, and his wife for 20 years or so. Nancy had lunch with his wife and she mentioned that Chuck would really enjoy a flight. I'm easy. I meet him at the Felts Field restaurant at noon. We chatted for awhile and I discovered that he had about 10 hours of dual from the 1970's. Off we go for a flight to the south practice area and Coeur d'Alene Lake. I let him take the yoke for about 20 minutes. Good stick with some 20-30 degree bank turns. (1.1/330.8)
Flight 381/December 28, 2006-A fabulous looking day. I look around for volunteers at the office for a sunny and smooth lunch flight...no takers. I check in with my student that I am mentoring...he's game...plus I need to return his Flight Simulator yoke. We hit the sky at high noon and cruise over the south hill to the south practice area. Jim handles the plane from the right seat for about 15 minutes with excellent altitude hold and rudder control. I take the plane and guide us through Mica Gap and into the field. OK landing with no missing parts. (0.7/331.5)
Flight 382/December 30, 2006-Nancy ran into some old friends, Joyce and Glen Rougle on Friday. They had gotten our Christmas letter and remarked that "they'd love to take a flight." I'm easy. No better time than now! We settle on Saturday at 12:30pm, but when I check the weather in the morning, it looks like it will still be below minimums. I move the flight to 1:30 and keep checking the weather. At about 12:15, the airport still reports a 700 foot broken ceiling. Not good enough. So, I check my handy airport cam. I can see clear skies to the north! This looks promising so I head for the airport. After a false start to go back and get my wallet, I get to the field and check out the plane. Luckily, Marc had filled her up on Thursday so I have 30 gallons of go-juice. Saves me some time. I taxi over to the terminal and meet them at 1:30. Glen volunteers for the back and Joyce is up front. I spend extra time explaining everything I do. We lift off just ahead of an Extra 300 that is also going north. They take off behind us and pass me in no time! I spend 45 minutes wandering around north of Spokane then back to the barn. The tower advises that there's a huge flock of Canada Geese camped out next to runway 21 right. Wow, I guess there must be more than a 100 of the critters. Luckily, they don't flinch as I come into the runway. With Glen in the back, I'm a little tail heavy so I need less back pressure than normal. Subsequently, a little more bump than usual. Back to the terminal and we chat over a Pepsi. Great flight on a sunny day and that's it for 2006. I finish the year with 53.3 hours (0.9/332.4)
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